We're Not Wealthy, But Don't Take Us For Mugs

Sun Herald

Sunday January 30, 2000

LYNDALL CRISP

IT'S a familiar sight on the news. The orange and blue tent pitched outside the National Textiles premises at Rutherford in the Hunter Valley.

Made 20 years ago by Bradmill using Superduck canvas and paid for by the company's social club, it has seen many a barbie, anniversary and 21st birthday party.

Recently, it was the venue for the Christmas party for the 400 children of the club members. Its colours may have faded but it is tough like the 342 staff laid off by National Textiles. It is also for sale. Whatever the club can get for it will go into a fighting fund. Meanwhile, it's home to the picketers who've dug in for the long haul.

The 342 men and women, given their marching orders by the textile company 12 days ago, voted on Friday not to accept an offer which amounted to 66 per cent of what was owed to them. They are owed $11.2 million which leaves a shortfall of nearly $4 million.

It was to be paid over 24 months but here's the catch: There was no guarantee they'd get any of it because the offer hinged on National Textiles selling to the Victorian company Brack for $7 million.

If the receiver decides to liquidate the assets, they get nothing. But they are determined to get 100 per cent. These are not wealthy people. Most live from week to week on an income that could only be called basic: $300, $400, $500 maximum clear a week.

Their numbers include 12 married couples, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers.

Dayle Bentley, 48, weave machine operator, worked for the company for 24 years. It was the only job she'd ever had. She cleared $375 a week. Her sister, Sandra Smith, 46, also a weaver, took home $391 a week. Her husband, Greg, was made redundant by the company two years ago. He found other employment but at a reduced wage. Both women worked the 3pm to 11pm shift to fit in with their children.

Their brother, Mark Robinson, 44, a forklift operator, clocked up 17 years. He took home $391 per week. Their father, George, was retrenched by the company in 1974 and died 12 months later.

Five members of one family. That's how it works in a small community like the Hunter Valley where jobs are so scarce, the future looks as bleak as a Nostradamus prediction. By coincidence, Mrs Smith put her three-bedroom $118,000 fibro house on the market six months ago. Not a nibble. There's Buckley's now.

While the family will take their turn manning the picket line, they are all frantically looking for jobs. But being over 40, they are not optimistic. ``We will manage but it won't be easy," Mrs Bentley said. ``Our standard of living will drop."

What annoys the siblings most is that rumours of the factory's closure began circulating before the Christmas holidays. But, when confronted, the bosses would say only, ``not to our knowledge".

``If only they'd been honest with us," Mrs Smith said. ``They changed the locks in December. We knew something was going on. Yes, we'll survive but it will mean the difference between scones and butter and scones with jam and cream."

A young boy cycles up intrigued by what's going on. ``Hey lady, is this a circus or a picket line?" he asks, looking at the tent and the sizzling barbecue.

``It's a picket line." ``Oh, OK," he says, and cycles off. Back he comes a few minutes later. ``Lady, what's a picket line?"

Helen Cassidy and John Barsley know what a picket line is. Yesterday, they were back with their sunscreen and hats. But it's hard to keep the momentum going when only a handful of mates and a dog turn up. The TV crews had been and gone by 8.30am.

Ms Cassidy, 30, a fabric inspector, was with the company 12 years. ``I'm still in shock," she said. ``I feel I'm in la la land. I thought I had a job for as long as I wanted it."

Her partner, John Barsley, 34 was a machine operator at the company for 11 years, taking home $500, working the ``dog watch", the 11pm to 7am shift. They have a $96,000 mortgage on their fibro house at Branxton, a $15,000 loan on their four-wheel drive and $1,000 in the bank. The couple will attend a seminar organised by the local council on how to write a resume, apply for a job and enrol in a training course.

Local support has been encouraging. McNally's, the union's solicitors, have put $50,000 in a fund to cover legal costs.Cases of meat and vegetables have arrived from small businesses. Sylvesters Bakery at Cessnock sends 100 loaves a day. Officeworks has offered stationery.

Maitland Building Suppliers donated the wood and nails for the crosses that line the New England Highway. A nun passing by dropped in 12 buns she'd just bought. A tourist from Queensland handed over $20 and a man emptied $90 in loose change.